FilmingLife® Academy is for photographers who feel the pull toward motion. You love capturing connection through images, but you know there’s more to the story. You want to preserve voices, movement, laughter, and the rhythm of everyday life. You don’t want to create generic highlight reels. You want to craft meaningful family films that feel honest, emotional, and lasting. If you’re ready to learn filmmaking in a way that feels grounded, supportive, and story-first, you’re in the right place.
Learn the (he)art of Family Filmmaking.
Welcome to your new favourite place on the internet.
No ads, no stress, just likeminded humans creating beautiful, meaningful videos of the most important thing in the world - families.
A first of it’s kind community of family photographers and filmmakers that contains courses for all skill levels, fresh content regularly, and no hidden fees. One affordable monthly subscription covers everything from interactive courses, to monthly film critiques.
What you’ll get as a member:
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Monthly Film Critiques with Courtney Holmes:
Monthly film critiques offer invaluable, personalized feedback to help you grow as a family filmmaker. By submitting your film, you’ll receive detailed insights into what you're doing well and specific suggestions for improvement, tailored to your style and skill level. This individual guidance not only sharpens your technical and creative abilities but also boosts your confidence, allowing you to refine your filmmaking techniques and elevate your storytelling with each new project.
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Community of Like-Minded Creatives:
Joining our membership not only gives you access to expert-led courses and personalized film critiques but also connects you with the largest community of family filmmakers in the world. This thriving, supportive environment is a safe space where you can share your work, exchange ideas, and receive encouragement from like-minded creatives. Being part of this community allows you to learn from others, gain fresh perspectives, and build lasting connections, all while growing your skills and confidence as a filmmaker.
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Comprehensive Courses Designed for Photographers:
You'll gain instant access to a complete suite of courses designed to transform you into a skilled family filmmaker. From mastering the technical aspects of shooting and editing, to building a strong portfolio and implementing strategic marketing plans, each course is designed to help you create, promote, and grow a thriving family filmmaking business. Whether you're just starting out or looking to elevate your craft, this membership provides all the tools, knowledge, and guidance you need to succeed.
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Business Growth Workshops with Courtney Holmes:
By attending these monthly business growth workshops, you'll gain invaluable insights into every aspect of running a successful family filmmaking business. From marketing strategies and client management to goal setting and creative problem-solving, these workshops offer practical advice and expert guidance tailored to filmmakers. You'll also benefit from live Q&A sessions, mindset coaching, and industry-specific tips, helping you stay motivated, overcome challenges, and continuously grow your business.
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Hands-On Projects and Showcase Opportunities:
By participating in these quarterly themed film projects, you'll have the opportunity to dive deep into specific areas of filmmaking, enhancing your skills and creativity with focused practice. Each project comes with educational calls, expert guidance, and hands-on tutorials, allowing you to develop new techniques while receiving real-time feedback from industry professionals. The live Zoom sessions, Q&As, and resources provided ensure you stay inspired and connected with the community, while the opportunity to submit your work to the ArtHouse Showcase motivates you to push your filmmaking boundaries and create standout pieces for your portfolio.
Meet Your Teachers:
I’ve taught filmmaking to over 50k photographers around the globe through my course on CreativeLive, at conferences in Australia, NZ and the USA, and of course through my online courses here at FilmingLife® Academy.
Like many of you, I started out overwhelmed and unsure how to translate my love of photography into filmmaking.
I had no roadmap, just trial and error. But as I persisted, I discovered that filmmaking offered a deeper way to tell stories.
What started as a small experiment turned into a successful fulltime business, and now I want to share everything I learned with you.
I’ve created FilmingLife® Academy so that you don’t have to go through years of trial and error like I did. I’m here to guide you through the process, show you how to avoid the mistakes I made, and help you build a fulfilling business you love.
Courtney Holmes
Founder & Lead Educator
Kylie Purtell
Community Manager & Educator
Our mission at FilmingLife® is to provide you with the knowledge and skills you need, to be able to craft the kinds of stories that you want to tell.
To create a welcoming space where you can connect with other creatives, as you learn and grow as an artist. And to nuture a community of filmmakers who will be there to support you along your journey and celebrate your success.
It’s our mission to see you succeed in family filmmaking so that you can feel confident about giving this gift of memory preservation to yourself and to others.
listen to our podcast
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listen to our podcast 〰️
What you’ll learn inside the Academy:
Camera Settings & Gear Guidance: Learn how to set up your camera for video without needing expensive equipment.
Audio & Sound Design: Capture high-quality audio and blend it seamlessly with music to tell a compelling story.
Editing Mastery: From the fundamentals of video editing to advanced color grading, you’ll gain all the skills you need.
Natural Light Mastery: Learn how to work with different lighting conditions to create beautiful, well-lit films.
Cinematography Techniques: Discover how to elevate your storytelling through creative composition, perspective, and camera movements.
Client Workflows: Get step-by-step guidance on how to work with clients, from initial inquiry to delivering the final film.
Storyboarding & Storytelling Techniques: Learn how to develop authentic, unique stories for each family you film.
Business Marketing Strategies: Master the art of attracting high-paying clients and building a successful filmmaking business.
FilmingLife® Self Paced Courses: